Elmer Hitt Named Director of Police & Fire Services

Jackson City Manager Patrick Burtch named Deputy Police Chief Elmer Hitt as the new director of police and fire services Friday, May 19, after serving five months as interim director following the retirement of Matthew Heins.

Hitt, a Northwest High School graduate, rose through the ranks within the Jackson Police Department after he joined as a police cadet in 1996. He became a patrol officer in 1997 before he was promoted to sergeant in 2005, lieutenant in 2010 and then deputy police chief in 2015.

Hitt was selected by Burtch after the job was posted both internally and externally and after a number of candidates were interviewed by officials within the city’s personnel department and the city manager’s office.

“It speaks to Elmer’s qualifications that he rose to the top of all candidates both within the Jackson Police Department and outside it,” City Manager Patrick Burtch said. “City administrators, officials, and myself all look forward to seeing how he moves the department forward. We’re all very pleased with Elmer’s qualifications and administrative capabilities.”

Hitt said he is humbled to be named director after serving within the police department for more than two decades.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the city of Jackson’s director of police and fire services,” Hitt said. “My 21 years of service with the department has taken several twists and turns, and it is rewarding to be given the responsibility of leading the professional men and women of the Jackson police and fire departments.

“I look forward to providing high quality service and safety to the citizens of this community,” he added.